Faith Notes June 26-July 3

Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, has special summer hours: services are at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.

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&lt;lst&gt;E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.

Come have a blast at Power Lab the week of July 21 - 25. This free week-long Vacation Bible School is open to first through sixth graders. It will be held at Harvest Church each night from 6:30 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. Kids will experience incredible music, hyperspeed games, wacky snacks, mind-blowing Bible adventures, amazing crafts and much more! Pre-registration is suggested by calling 703-971-7070, however walk-ins will be accepted. Harvest Church is located at 7401 Beulah Street in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria.

Saint James’ Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon will highlight the 50th anniversary this year. In addition to Homecoming Sunday on June 22, Saint James’ calendar for the 2008 celebration includes the following events:

July 14-18 – Vacation Bible School: Last year was the first time in 20 years that Saint James’ conducted Vacation Bible School. The week was highly successful with 30 children participating. This year we are planning for at least 50 children. Adult parishioners are also blessed through their “hands-on” involvement with the children. Public invited.

July 26-27 – Feast of Saint James’: We will celebrate with a gala that includes a play, St. James’-A-Lot, a musical based on Camelot, written and produced by members of Saint James’, and featuring Saint James’ actors and musicians. The play recounts the history of Saint James’. The evening will include a dinner and “surprise” visitors. Public invited.

September 7 – Rally Day: Family Fun Day and kick-off for fall, with children’s registration, a picnic, Moon bounce, face painting, cake walk and old-fashioned games for the whole family.

Kid's Club will be from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on July 9 and Aug. 13 at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 115 S. Washington St. The church playground/courtyard and Children's Library will be open all morning for kids and parents to come and go as they please. Visit www.wsumc.com or 703-836-4342.

Children ages 3-through those who have just completed 2nd grade will learn what it means to know, speak, and live with God’s love. The adventure will be Tuesday, July 15-Friday, July 18 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Washington Street UMC, 115 S. Washington St. To register, visit www.wsumc.com For more information contact the church at 703-836-4324 or office@wsumc.com.

It’s time for children from ages 3 through grade six to blaze a trail to Vacation Bible School. Gather at the Bible Study Campfire to hear Bible stories and learn life applications, play games at the Recreation Barn, create neat crafts at the Crafts Corral and enjoy some grub at the Chuck Wagon. The adventure begins every evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m., June 23-27, Good News Baptist Church, 5940 Telegraph Road. Pre-register by calling 703-329-2990 or send an email to Pastorcal@ goodnewsbaptistchurch.org. Free. Visit http://www.goodnewsbaptistchurch.org/ for directions.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, has a special learning session from 9:45-10:45 a.m. every Sunday starting June 1 through Aug. 24. Children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about traditional Bible-times family life by playing authentic games, being apprentices in the Carpentry Shop, chatting with shopkeepers and tax collectors, participating in Synagogue School, and sampling food. For more information about this exciting program, or to pre-register, call 703-765-6118 or e-mail mvpcva@aol.com. Visit www.mvpconline.org.

There is also a group of moms and pre-school kids that meets every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for coffee, muffins, and fellowship and moves into the church at 9:30 a.m. to take part in the Day School’s chapel service, which is a short child-friendly service full of singing and silliness.

Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, gathers each Sunday at 5 p.m. for a worship gathering. All are welcome. Visit www.convergenceccf.net, or call 703-998-6260.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1509 Collingwood Road, Mount Vernon, is now holding Wednesday evening meetings at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 703-768-2494.

The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist Meditation at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 North Alfred St. in Alexandria. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. Buddhist Nun Kelsang Varahi will be teaching. $10/class. For more information visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.

Beth El Hebrew Congregation holds services at 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Religious school is on Wednesdays evening and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat on first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Beth El is located at 3830 Seminary Road in Alexandria. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church has worship at informal service on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, or, come to a traditional worship service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Sunday school classes for all ages, start at 9:45 a.m. On Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Church Library, located in the Fellowship Hall, a group gathers together for a time of fellowship and prayer and a light meal is provided. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church is located at 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. 703-765-6118 or visit www.mvpconline.org for more.

Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Mount Vernon Highway in Alexandria is offering a "Coming Home" process at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month to ask questions, get an update on the church, and to help decide if it's time to reconnect with parish life. Contact Rob Doerschner at 703-822-0523.

The Urban Passage Inc., a faith-based non-profit organization, seeks adult volunteers, 50 years and older, to mentor high-risk youth at the Northern Virginia Juvenile detention Home in Alexandria. Volunteers are also needed to serve as youth advisory council leaders and community service project leaders for a program that serves terminally and seriously ill children at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The Christian Women In The Marketplace meets to study God's word at the Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The CBWC meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Additional information contact Pamela Nilsen at 703-660-6759.

AWANA is an international, non-denominational, Bible centered youth organization providing weekly clubs and programs for ages three-year-old through high school. Engleside Baptist Church's, 8428 Highland Lane, AWANA club consists of three parts, Handbook Time, Council Time, and Game Time. Club meetings are held every Wednesday night during the school year from 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-780-5410.

Up Where We Belong Family Ministry will hold its Northern Virginia's Super Church event, the third Sunday of every month starting at 10:40 a.m., at Mount Vernon High School's main auditorium. Bring the family and participate in their worship celebration and eligible families will receive free groceries. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Bishop Robert Lewis Taylor at 703-878-2247.

Christ the Saviour Anglican Church will worship at a new location starting Aug. 5. The services will be held at Washington Mill Elementary School, 9100 Cherry Tree Drive, Mount Vernon. A Christian Education Hour for adults and youth starts at 9:15 a.m., followed by the worship service at 10 a.m. For more details, visit www.christthesaviouranglican.org/.

*“Kingdom of Living” Bible Study held each Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The study is led by three members of Rising Hope and focused on understanding specific Bible chapters. Child care is available during each session.

*“Building a People of Power” Empowerment Series held each Tuesday from 6:45-8:30 p.m. A study led by Rev. Keary on Robert Linthicum's book on the Biblical foundation for advocacy and empowerment of people who may feel unable to affect change in systems.

* Celebrate Recovery-- a Christ-centered recovery program with groups for men and women follows the model developed by Saddleback Church, California. This is held each Friday with worship at 6:45 p.m., recovery groups at 7:30 p.m. and fellowship from 8:30-9 p.m. Child care is available, if requested in advance.

* Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. each Sunday. Led by members of Rising Hope with various study guides used. Held at the same time as Rising Hope's Children's Sunday School.